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Lecture series in support of STEM education to begin Sept. 25

Sep 19, 2013 | St. Bonaventure University will host a three-part lecture series in the William F. Walsh Science Center Auditorium to promote public interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and career opportunities to area high school and college students.

Sponsored by the university and the Dresser Rand Challenger Learning Center, the series begins Sept. 25 with a panel presentation, featuring Jim Stitt, CEO of CUTCO, Scott Kafka, director of Engineering Operations at Dresser Rand and Helen Cummiskey, manager of New Business Development at American Refining Group. The panelists will offer their perspectives on the importance of STEM education to their respective companies.

“We share a common purpose in stimulating interest and learning about the sciences,” said Stu Smith, the Challenger Center’s chairman of the board. “It is a special pleasure to again partner with St. Bonaventure University, along with educators and civic-minded citizens from our region.”

To continue the series, Dr. Sean Nowling, professor of science at Jamestown Community College, will discuss “String Theory and the Physics of Space” on Oct. 30. Lastly, Dr. Dave Hilmey, chair of the Department of Chemistry at St. Bonaventure, will address “Chemistry and Space: How Very Small Influences the Infinitely Large” on Dec. 4.

All three sections begin at 7 p.m. on their respective dates.

“Those who participate in all three events will gain an excellent sense of the career opportunities that await STEM graduates, as well as the excitement such study affords,” said Dr. Wolfgang Natter, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at St. Bonaventure. “I am grateful to the guest speakers who have accepted our invitation to share their experience and expertise.”

Since 2009, nearly 10,000 students from 17 counties in New York and Pennsylvania have participated in the Center’s missions and other programs.

“As a long-term educator in the public schools, I know firsthand how meaningful early exposure to the sciences can be for area students,” said Fred Welch, director of the Challenger Center. “I warmly invite area students and their parents to take advantage of this series.”

Each lecture is free, open to the public and features opportunities for Q-and-A.

For more information about the Dresser Rand Challenger Center, visit drcl.org. For more information about St. Bonaventure, visit sbu.edu.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. We are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition. Our students are becoming extraordinary.